Kalmar Ottawa T2 EV electric yard truck deploys in Canada
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- Kalmar Ottawa launched its battery-electric T2 EV yard truck, powered by a continuous-duty electric drive motor delivering up to 454 kW (~610 hp) at peak output, with modular li-ion battery packs available in 105, 140, or 210 kWh capacities.
- The Kalmar T2 EV can be spec'd to offer up to 195,000 lbs. GCWR, designed to match the durability and productivity of the original diesel T2 that has been a fixture at ports for years.
- WTC Group, a Canadian logistics firm, is deploying multiple T2 EVs with support from Transport Canada's Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles (iMHZEV) grant program, though the dollar value and truck count were not disclosed.
- Brad Gordon, Director of Maintenance at WTC, called investing in electric terminal tractors "a natural step" for improving both operational efficiency and environmental performance as customers demand sustainable logistics.
- James Leibold, Kalmar's Zero Emissions Vehicle Sales Manager, said the company spent years developing the T2 EV to ensure it would match the reputation of the "legendary" T2 diesel terminal tractor.
- Kalmar invented the specialized terminal tractor concept in 1943 and has led diesel-powered yard trucks for decades, now positioning the T2 EV as the electric successor to that lineage.
Why it matters: For port and logistics operators, the T2 EV's 454 kW output and 195,000 lb GCWR spec signal that electric yard spotters can match diesel workloads, letting fleets hedge against volatile diesel prices. With iMHZEV grants lowering the capital barrier, Canadian operators like WTC Group get a first-mover runway to lock in operational savings before competitors electrify.
